Beersheba-born Moroccan Amir Benayoun brought an earthy, understated beauty to Israel’s folk-pop scene with his 1999 debut, Rak At. The album inhabits two worlds: stripped-down ballads, where Benayoun’s plaintive vocals seem to echo across the dusty Negev, and brighter folk-pop that invites joyous, carefree dancing. Benayoun went on to be one of Israel’s best-known artists, leaving an indelible imprint on mainstream music.